Watch the video above: Durable road paint to make its mark on city streets
SASKATOON – The City of Saskatoon is looking at more permanent road markings to separate lanes and make streets safer for drivers.
“It’s not just an aesthetics issue, it’s about traffic safety,” said Zach Jeffries, city councillor for Ward 10.
Jeffries, who pushed for more permanent road markings last spring on Saskatoon streets, had his voice heard.
This past fall, more durable markings were used at a number of locations in Saskatoon and city officials say they continue to look for opportunities to increase the use of these longer-lasting markings.
“If we’re repaving our arterials or our freeways we’re using those more durable markings, so they’re inlaid markings that will last anywhere between 7 to 10 years as opposed to our paint that we have to apply twice a year,” said Angela Gardiner, director of transportation with the city.
Each year, the city spends about $800,000 on its painting program.
The durable markings are about three times the cost up front but will save crews from having to repaint the markings up to three times a year.
“We’re really seeing that as the traffic volumes are going up in the last couple winters with more gravel being used from a sanding perspective from winter’s operations, we’re seeing a lot of the painting markings being rubbed off quite a bit more than they have been in the past,” said Gardiner.
Approximately 80,000 motorists use Circle Drive North daily.
City officials say in the next month they’ll have a better idea of which major roadways will be rehabilitated and extra money will be used to tackle roadways as seen fit.
“There’s still gonna be some areas where it doesn’t make sense to do the more durable markings, if there’s roadways that we have planned to do any kind of rehabilitation in the next five years.”
The ideal temperature for repainting road markings is five degrees so it could be awhile yet before motorists see any improvements to faded lanes.
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